Top 10 Alert!
Song#: 2544 Date: 11/23/1985
Debut: 67
Peak: 10
Weeks: 17
Genre: R&B, Adult Contemporary
Pop Bits: Wonder got his ninth #1 on the Pop chart with "Part-Time Lover," the lead single from his album In Square Circle. This next single wouldn't do quite as well, but it did just barely make the Pop Top 10 while getting to #2 at R&B, #1 AC, and #1 Dance. This song is similar to a few of his previous hits in that Wonder plays all the instruments save for a couple of additions (trumpet and sax in this song's case). The formula of doing most everything himself seemed to be working well for Wonder as the album became a double-platinum seller. Unfortunately, this song would be his last (to-date) to reach the Pop Top 10.
ReduxReview: Back in the day I didn't really pay attention to this song because I just wasn't a fan of Wonder's music around this time. These days I think this is one of his better hits from the 80s. The percolating groove is severely dated, but it still works and chugs along quite well. This song could have benefited from a few real instruments, but synths dominated the day so it probably sounded pretty cool and advanced at the time. The melodies and chord structures here are more Wonder-ish, which I enjoy. It's not an outstanding song and one that's kind of gotten lost in his catalog, but it is worthy of spinning once in a while.
ReduxRating: 7/10
Trivia: Wonder became the youngest artist to hit #1 on the Pop chart when "Fingertips, Pt. 2" reached the summit in 1963. Wonder was thirteen years old at the time. Seven years later, an eleven year old Michael Jackson hit #1 with "I Want You Back," but he did that with his brothers as a member of The Jackson 5. So while Jackson remains the youngest artist to reach #1, Wonder still retains the title of the youngest solo artist to reach #1.
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It's a good Stevie Wonder tune but I wouldn't rank it among one of his best tunes, I'm surprised this song made the Top 10 instead of "Overjoyed" considering I was more familiar with that tune instead of this one, it also gets a 7/10 for me.
ReplyDelete"Overjoyed" was totally underrated, but I don't mind this one at all. Kind of a fun, funky tune. A bit slight for Wonder, but one of his better 80s tunes.
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